New Spartanburg dog park proposed

An area located behind the clock tower at Daniel Morgan Square in Spartanburg is being proposed for a new dog park.

On Tuesday, during a public meeting at the Spartanburg Public Library, some said the one-third of an acre is too small for a dog park and they're concerned because it's located in the center of downtown.

However, others like Rebecca Mullin said that could be a good thing for businesses.

"I think it's a great idea, so our dogs can run around and have a good time and meet other dogs," she said as she walked her dog Gus in the area of the proposed park.

"If you put something downtown people tend to head in that direction," she said.

The area includes greenery between Main, Broad and Spring Streets near the Herald Journal newspaper office.

"The thought process is that this will allow an unused asset of the city to become a heavily used asset of the city," Chris Story, the assistant city manager said.

Story headed the meeting at the library and took questions from those in the crowd.

"We absolutely love downtown," Hugh Rowland, a dog owner said.

Rowland is new to the area and is excited about the idea.

"You're talking about some very good neighbors, you're not talking about dogs going wild," he said.

City leaders said the project could cost about $15,000 which is made-up of local and private funds.

But Councilwoman Linda Dogan said the money is much needed in other areas.

"Right now we have parks and recreation areas that we need to enhance or uplift. I just can't see spending that on that when we have children we need to support," she said.

Some proposed rules were also posted like: Dogs should be on a leash until they enter a fenced area, dogs would need to have updated shots and a collar and aggressive dogs would not be allowed in the park at all.

A two year old is alive after a near drowning at an Upstate swimming pool. And it's all thanks to the first person who arrived on scene to help, who just happened to be a local fire chief and trained EMT.

A two year old is alive after a near drowning at an Upstate swimming pool. And it's all thanks to the first person who arrived on scene to help, who just happened to be a local fire chief and trained EMT.